In this episode on skin health and acne, Mari Llewellyn shares her decade-long struggle with cystic acne and her eventual success through alternative treatments, emphasizing the link between gut health and skin. The discussion highlights key tips like utilizing acne-specialized estheticians, avoiding pore-clogging ingredients found in many skincare products, and addressing acne's potential lifestyle and dietary triggers.
Experts also weigh in on effective skincare routines for managing acne, from specific cleansers to chemical peels. The episode covers the importance of identifying individual skin sensitivities and delves into holistic approaches like anti-inflammatory diets and stress management alongside traditional treatments.
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Mari Llewellyn battled cystic acne for a decade, but treatments like antibiotics and [restricted term] failed, according to Llewellyn. Her acne finally cleared after treating a gut bacteria called H. pylori, suggesting a link between gut health and skin. Llewellyn reports taking kidney supplements and pursuing alternative approaches.
Llewellyn found success through esthetician Jackie's treatments like chemical peels and microneedling. Jackie provided acne expertise and support. Llewellyn stresses finding an esthetician specializing in acne.
Llewellyn uses a gentle cleanser with mandelic acid and benzoyl peroxide, AcneMed, and DMK powder to manage oil. Thomas emphasizes thoroughly washing for a minute to remove impurities. Selective extractions are advised by Gronich.
Experts clarify that "clean" doesn't necessarily mean non-pore-clogging. Thomas recommends checking products for problematic thick ingredients like coconut oil. Gronich's website has an ingredient checker to identify pore-cloggers.
Gronich notes dermatologists lack nutrition training for acne. Llewellyn and Thomas link dairy and cheese to breakouts. Llewellyn advocates anti-inflammatory diets. Thomas cites stress management's role, and experts highlight individual skin sensitivities in reactions.
Thomas advises 1-minute cleansing massages. Llewellyn recommends acne-safe cleansers like ClearStem. Exfoliating masks and sulfur spot treatments are used for breakouts, per Christina. For makeup, Llewellyn suggests Klore and Illuminaire. Gronich and Christina recommend Priya, Make Beauty, and Euphoria as non-pore-clogging options.
1-Page Summary
Acne is a common skin condition that can have profound emotional effects. Two individuals, Mari Llewellyn and Daisy Keech, recount their struggles with acne and share insights on treatments that have helped them.
Mari Llewellyn had a taxing decade-long battle with cystic acne, which worsened towards the end of college and persisted into adulthood. Despite trying various dermatologist-prescribed treatments like different antibiotics and [restricted term], nothing seemed to work. Llewellyn also had reservations about continuing [restricted term] due to concerns about its safety, especially in the context of pregnancy.
Ultimately, the only successful treatment for her acne came after she was diagnosed with a gut bacteria called H. pylori. Treating this bacteria led to the resolution of her acne, suggesting a possible link between gut health and skin condition.
Llewellyn's journey underscores the importance of considering internal health factors when dealing with persistent acne. She shared that she is currently taking kidney for her acne, swallowing chunks of it every day, exploring less traditional routes to address her skin concerns.
In her pursuit of clearer skin, Mari Llewellyn found significant support in an esthetician, Jackie, who provided personalized treatments such as chemical peels, microneedling, LED therapy, and extractions. Llewellyn emphasized the benefit of finding an esthetician who specializes in acne, pointing to before and after transformations and sincere testimonials as evidence of efficacy. Jackie also offered ongoing support and text messaging guidance during severe breakouts and recommended against picking at the skin.
In addition to treatments, Llewellyn valued the support and guidance she received from Jackie. Her esthetician's expertise in acne-specific treatments like Face Reality and DMK was crucial in managing Llewellyn's condition and navigating her through every stage of her acne.
Llewellyn describes her skincare routine, which includes a gentle cleanser with mandelic acid and benzoyl peroxide for its acne-fighting properties, along with us ...
Acne and Acne Treatment
Kayleigh Christina, Danielle Gronich, Mari Llewellyn, and Celeste Thomas discuss the confusion between "clean" skincare and non-comedogenic products, and the importance of avoiding pore-clogging ingredients for skin health.
Celeste Thomas explains that "clean" skincare refers to products that are free from certain harmful chemicals and endocrine disruptors but does not necessarily imply that they do not clog pores. The lack of industry certification for "clean" products and the practice of "greenwashing" can mislead consumers, making it difficult to know the true nature of the products they're using.
Mari Llewellyn and Danielle Gronich stress that there is a common misconception equating "clean" skincare with being "acne-safe." While "clean" has gained attention for being free from toxins, it doesn't guarantee that the products won’t clog pores or cause breakouts.
Llewellyn seeks to distinguish genuinely non-pore clogging products from those that are simply marketed as "clean." To this end, Thomas suggests using resources like the Environmental Working Group, Think Dirty, Credo, or trusted brands like ClearStem, though she cautions that even these brands can sometimes include pore-clogging ingredients.
Kayleigh Christina talks about her experience with a facial that led to a breakout because she didn’t check for pore-clogging ingredients like shea butter in the products used. Christina emphasizes the importance of vigilance in avoiding products that can cause acne.
Danielle Gronich recognizes that natural ingredients such as organic shea butter and coconut oil, while being "clean," are thicker than the skin's natural oils and may clog pores. Gronich notes coconut oil, in particular, can be as thick as wax at room temperature and may not penetrate pores well, making it unsuitable for most people, despite being a small fraction of the population that can tolerate it.
Gronich and Llewellyn discuss the importance of awareness of pore-clogging ingredients within the acne community, as their presence in cosmetics can lead to continuous breakouts. ...
Pore-Clogging Ingredients and Clean Skincare
Holistic approaches to skin health have become a focal point for many, emphasizing the interconnectedness between diet, stress, and individual factors in achieving a clear and healthy complexion.
Danielle Gronich underscores the lack of training dermatologists receive in nutrition with respect to acne, which fails to address dietary considerations like inflammatory eating. Personal experiences shared by Celeste Thomas and Mari Llewellyn point to the potential link between consuming cheese and experiencing breakouts. Mari Llewellyn has gone so far as to completely eliminate dairy and gluten from her diet to improve her skin, reflecting the significance of diet and gut health.
Various diets tried by Mari Llewellyn, such as carnivore and keto, underscore the quest for a diet that supports skin health, hinting at the role of anti-inflammatory, gut-healing regimens. Mari also discusses not getting enough vitamin A, a key component of the acne medication [restricted term], suggesting that a diet rich in this vitamin might support clear skin.
Celeste Thomas highlights the significant impact stress has on skin health, suggesting that stress management practices can be beneficial. She recommends starting the day without phones or caffeine and engaging in activities that counter stress. The implication is clear: reducing stress is key to healing acne.
Kayleigh Christina and Mari Llewellyn highlight the individual differences in skin reactions, emphasizing bio-i ...
Holistic Skin Health (Diet, Stress, Internal Factors)
Skin care experts Mari Llewellyn, Celeste Thomas, Christina, Kayleigh Christina, Danielle Gronich, and Daisy Keech share their insights and recommendations on effective skincare routines and products that cater to concerns like acne and aging while offering makeup suggestions for acne-prone skin.
Celeste Thomas recommends a one-minute facial massage during cleansing to ensure the skin is thoroughly clean, which can help remove impurities and prepare the skin for subsequent products.
Mari Llewellyn stresses the importance of using acne-safe products, including a particular focus on anti-microbial mists like Hydrinity Hyacinth to kill off bacteria. ClearStem’s range of acne-safe products, such as body lotion, hair care, and specifically lip balm, have proven beneficial to Llewellyn, who notes a tendency to break out around her mouth.
Mari Llewellyn brings up microneedling as a treatment that can reduce inflammation, though she shares that it makes her break out. She counters this by using acne-safe products to balance her skin care.
Christina turned to exfoliating masks, a diamond buff tool, and a sulfur spot mask developed by Danielle, following an active breakout. She also used a product called Cell Renew to address pigmentation left from acne. Christina flattened her cystic acne within two days and managed to clear pigmentation in a week.
No specific product endorsement or recommendation was mentioned under this subsection.
When it comes to acne-safe makeup, several options are highlighted by the experts. Mari Llewellyn suggests limiting makeup use if one is struggling with breakouts. She mentions using ti ...
Skincare Routines and Product Recommendations
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